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These are my views, not an expert analysis, but consider the main points in case you encounter a young person seduced by something new and different.
Is No Labels a political party? No labels was begun in 2009 by a prominent democratic fund-raiser as an organization dedicated to encourage bipartisan thinking, working to span the divide between liberal and conservative on some issues. Initially, that may have been the case. Some argue that the group has changed focus. Lately, under the guise of funding those who work to achieve bi-partisan goals, No Labels has given funds to Kristen Sinema and to Henry Cuellar and to the effort to weaken ObamaCare (Slate). No Labels seems to be gearing up to fielding (or just funding?) national candidates seen as between liberal and conservative. The group is classified as a 501(c)(4) non-profit social welfare group. Thus, they are not required to disclose funders. (Mother Jones and Slate identifies some notorious ones). However, they may have to formally accept being a party as a result of challenges. In some states, No Labels has been certified as a political party allowed to field candidates. Other states do not see them that way. In some states, local affiliates act as go-betweens. No Labels Texas has registered to be a political party. No Labels seems to be acting like a party, but one focused only on the presidential race, disavowing interest in state and local contests. No Labels says that it will hold a virtual convention to decide whether or not to support a candidate (or to decide on a candidate). Their website and literature states a position of not endorsing/fielding a Third way candidate unless that candidate can win… And they go to great lengths to further the position that neither Republican nor Democratic candidates are popular. The No Labels website is very slick and not directly helpful. There are links to purchase issue papers. I was put off, and so have relied on other sources here. What is a political party? When a candidate is affiliated with a party, you have some idea of where the candidate is likely to stand, even without analyzing speeches. (Of course, with Trump, we have seen the tail wagging the dog.) But No Labels? The group says it does not have a platform, that comes from the candidate. So knowing the candidate is identified with No Labels does not give information. EXCEPT that lately No Labels is talking about fielding a “Unity” candidate. But here’s my take on what No Labels brushes over: Biden is as much a unity candidate as we need. The voter dissatisfaction with Biden cited by NL actually is not because he is not centrist enough. On the contrary, many democrats see him as being too centrist! Political discourse in this country has been pushed right-ward recently, despite MAGA claims to the contrary, and maybe despite media publishers’ wishes. No Labels idea of a “unity” candidate would be rightward of center—Not the direction we should be happy with. Why is this important? I was a dis-enchanted young voter once. We need to remind young voters of the long view.. past the current election. A nebulous No Labels is not going that direction. End of good, long Slate article*: So what’s the deal with No Labels? Here’s a theory: Its leaders and guiding spirits—the Jacobsons, Penns, and Liebermans—are locked in a mutually delusional feedback loop with their donors in which everyone convinces themselves that a random politician whose main attribute is being objectionable to both parties could become president. They have a faith-like conviction that both sides must always be doing something wrong, a hunger for relevance, and enough confidence to keep going when everyone tells them they’re making a mistake. That (and $70 million) is more than enough to spoil an election with or without having a clear goal in mind. “What is No Labels’ plan for 2024?” might be the wrong question; a better one might be “Does No Labels ever have a plan at all?” Sources, and for more information: https://nolabelstexas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Adopted-Interim-TX-Bylaws-No-Labels-Texas-12-13-2023.pdf NLTX “intends” to operate and qualify as a political party in Texas under the election code. Authorized by national NL to….. not to nominate or support candidates for state or local offices. https://www.npr.org/2023/11/02/1210211164/no-labels-democrats-republicans-third-party-2024-election-trump-biden-pelosi https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/no-labels-coalition-government-electoral-college-rcna130709 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-no-labels-a-political-party-or-social-welfare-organization/ https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/02/04/biden-third-party-peril-00139380 *https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/07/no-labels-third-party-2024-presidential-campaign.html https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2010/12/the-new-political-group-no-labels-shows-why-labels-exist.html Author: D.A. Brock, member
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